One of the main reason why people come to this place is the long
secluded less crowded beach of Olympos with its laid-back relaxing atmosphere.

Olympos is under a protective conservation program thereby limiting the
surge of mass tourism in the area which in turn preserves its natural condition
and also to protect the endangered loggerhead turtles nesting on the beach
during the summer months. The abundance
of wildlife, several species of flora and fauna, makes it the ideal paradise for
the nature-seeking travelers.

Yesterday, I wandered around the forest to see the ruins and while sitting
at the pebbled beach I could hear voices yelling from up above the mountains shadowing
the bay, and I was certain that there is a way going up the peak. When I headed to the beach this morning, I
passed by the ruins again, but this time I came looking for the route going up
the rocky hill.

I meander through the
forest tramping along reeds and bushy footpath, I have to brush through thorny shrubs
and it was a good decision I wore a long sleeved shirt this morning. I almost stepped onto a big turtle slowly
crossing my path and I was hoping that there aren’t snakes slinking along the
way or dangling on some trees.

I almost stepped on this turtle HA HA.

I reached the top and clambered onto big sharp edged rocks to really
get to the uppermost spot where I could get a good view of the beach on the
other side. Well, not that easy as I got
stung by a bee and the thorns of some plants got stuck on my shirt. I reached the top, and it was a spectacular
sight above there. The endless blue ocean and the full length of the beach from
Olympos to Cirali with the tip of Mount Olympos or Tahtali Dag in the distance.

With no shades or facilities, the beach looks almost
empty, it isn’t the typical beach
resorts filled with holiday-makers. You
will not find big hotels or resorts lining its shoreline, no bars, restaurants,
and parasols except for a hut in one corner that sells drinks, other than that, it’s just a long clean
pebbled beach in its natural state, turquoise waters surrounded by lush green
mountains.

People who come to this beach are either staying at
the pension houses offering wooden bungalows and tree houses which is less than
kilometer walk away OR at the nearby village of Cirali.

For those who are staying at the village of Olympos
– like me – getting to the beach means paying the entrance fee at the gate located
at the end of the dirt road and what makes it more interesting is the walk from
the gate to the water line. It’s about
10 minutes of enchanting walk through the Lycian ruins so most visitors wander
around the forest to see the remnants of a once opulent ancient city – member
of the Lycian confederation – along the Akcay Creek before finally heading to
the beach at the end of the footpath.

Olympos is along the Lycian Way trail (the 300 - 500 kilometers hiking
trail), so expect to see hikers with their big backpacks passing along on the
way to the village.

Getting to Olympos:

From Antalya’s main bus terminal, catch a (Antalya
Tur or Bati Antalya) bus heading along the highway to Kas or Fethiye. Travel time is approximately 1 and half hours
and costs TL10. Be sure to ask the
driver first. The bus will drop you off
at the highway junction (café) where a dolmush (shared van) will be transporting
you down to the town or village of Olympos, costs TL5.

From Fethiye, take the Bati Antalya bus heading to
Antalya and (same as above) get off at the highway junction café. Don’t forget to tell the driver or his
assistant that you’re heading to Olympos.

Accommodations in Olympos:

There are a lot of wood bungalows and tree houses
lining the street of the main village mostly offering half-board (breakfast and
dinner included).

Popular ones which are nearer to the main
entrance to the ruins and the beach are:

1. Saban Pansiyon

2. Olympos Orange Pension

3. Doga Pansiyon (one of the nice ones)

4. Olympos Ruya Pansiyon

5. Baram's Pansiyon & Treehouses

6. Zeus

7. Zakkum Pansiyon & Restaurant (beside the entrance)

8. Pehlivan Pansiyon and Restaurant (beside the entrance)

9. Hassan's Pension Restaurant and Treehouse (this
one is exactly at the entrance to the ruins).

Located after the swinging bridge and
therefore a bit far from the entrance to the beach or ruins are: